By Rakiya A. Muhammad
The calluses on the women’s hands were signs of their hard work and unwavering resilience in the face of years of back-breaking labour. The stories of these female farm labourers testify to determination and strength in their struggle for survival.
Malama Fatima, a Kano-based farm labourer recalls the dream of having small plots of land, cultivating crops and feeding their families from their soil felt like a distant, unattainable fantasy.
“Every day was the same. We wake up early and go to the field—someone else’s—until our backs ache and our hands are raw,” she discloses
“It was barely enough to survive. There was no hope. Just work.”
Farm labourers are among generations of women who worked in the land but never for themselves. They always worked for the benefit of others. They are labourers. It was hard work with little reward. They saw the harvest, but they never tasted the full reward.
These women faced significant barriers to owning or accessing land within their communities, restricting their ability to invest in farms, improve yields, and build a sustainable future.
Transforming from labourers to thriving Independent Farmers
In the Dumaji area of Kano State, that was it until recently, when something began to change.
From mere labourers, these women have metamorphosed into independent farmers. Their journey from toiling on others’ fields to owning their land and reaping the full rewards of their hard work is a story of inspiration and empowerment.
But how did this happen?
The Women Advancement Network (WOFAN), a non-profit organisation dedicated to empowering smallholder farmers, particularly women and youth, recognised women in agriculture’s unique challenges. These women not only deal with the harsh realities of farming but also endure societal expectations, limited access to resources, and a lack of recognition for their contributions.
“The Dumaji community is unique as the network started with a group of women who were farm labourers earning N120 per week after working tirelessly on people’s farms,” reveals Dr Salamatu Garba, Executive Director of WOFAN.
WOFAN, with its deep understanding of the plight of female farm labourers, recognised the potential these women held. They possessed invaluable agricultural knowledge gained through years of practical experience, yet they lacked the resources, the land, and the support systems to break free from the cycle of dependency.
So, the network mobilised the women, trained them, and linked them with extension workers after advocating for farmland from the traditional leaders.
“After the advocacy, the women were given one hectare where they cultivated about 40 bags out of the profit they sourced for in another farm, which was leased out to them; at the end of the day, these women became independent,” explains Dr Salamatu.
It was the first time the women felt they had control over their lives. It was a tangible proof that their hard work could bring real rewards.
But, making women farmers independent was not the only pressing issue. There was the transportation problem, with the journey to the nearest market often long and arduous. Another critical concern was the loss of farmers’ hard-earned produce. Traditional preservation methods were limited, resulting in significant post-harvest losses.
According to Ibrahim Ishaka, a food system/nutrition specialist at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), food waste poses significant challenges to Nigeria’s agricultural sector, losing around 50 per cent of its agricultural produce.
Ishaka adds that post-harvest losses impact food security, economic growth, and environmental sustainability, noting technological barriers, inefficient harvesting techniques, pest infestations, lack of access to modern farming tools, inadequate storage facilities, poor handling practices, and poor transportation infrastructure.
Growing Strength Through Lessening Falls
However, WOFAN was strategically positioned to address the systemic challenge from multiple perspectives. Their creative method directly addresses the two main issues of moving goods and processing them, using two important innovations: the agro-tricycle, which significantly cuts down on travel time and damage, and a modern, solar-powered processing centre with a versatile dryer that helps farmers turn fresh produce into valuable, long-lasting products.
The community received 24 robust agro-tricycle carriers for loading and transporting agro-commodities. The carriers, specifically designed for the local terrain, are easily accessible and significantly enhance the efficiency and speed of transporting produce to its intended destination.
Sabitu Sani, a carrier beneficiary, is one of the individuals working as loaders and transporters along the agricultural value chain.
The empowered Sabitu describes it as a lifeline, aiding in providing for the family.
Speaking on the interventions and its impact on women, a cluster member Aisha Aliyu notes the added value to their produce, access to new markets for dried goods, reduced waste, and increased potential for income generation through selling dried products.
She hails the initiative for providing beneficiaries with the necessary training, resources, and support to grow and process various agricultural commodities.
“Our greatest hurdle was getting our produce from point A to point B;but now, thanks to the logistics tricycles from WOFAN, transporting our crops to the market is a breeze, and our profits have taken a delightful leap,” she says, her voice filled with gratitude and ease.
“The carriers have brought a sense of relief and comfort, making the transportation of our crops to the markets much easier, and allowing us to focus more on our farming and less on the logistics.”
Ridin’ the trail to fresh opportunities
The empowerment drive was inclusive, extending its benefits to persons with disabilities. WOFAN established a solar-powered marketing hub in the Dumaji community, with 124 phone charging stations and repair gadgets. The project also includes hand-operated tricycles for 40 individuals with limited mobility. Those who have become extension workers and peer leaders received customised electric motorcycles to aid their mobility.
The inclusivity benefits individuals directly and enriches the entire community by fostering a more diverse and supportive environment.
“WOFAN saw the gaps and made a case for expanding the reach of the ICON2 Project to ensure that loaders, transporters, and more PWDS benefited from it,” the Executive Director discloses.
“These groups are not only vulnerable, but they are also mostly ignored. Our partners, the Mastercard Foundation, agreed with us, and we tailored activities towards creating decent and sustainable job opportunities for youth in the two categories.”
She adds, “At WOFAN, we believe in the dignity of all human beings. Supporting PWDS, regardless of the scale of your support, builds their confidence and helps them realise their full potential.”
Bala Abdullahi, a recipient of an electric motorbike, remarks, “Previously, I spent 1,200 naira daily on transportation. With this electric motorbike, I can conserve that expenditure and save money. I am grateful to WOFAN and the Mastercard Foundation for facilitating this opportunity.”
Lawan Murtala is among the PWDS supported in accessing new job pathways by providing cargo tricycles for transporting goods, establishing community hubs for seed production and processing, and vocations such as fashion design, fabrication, and mobile phone repairs.
Lawan, a point-of-sale agent, commends WOFAN for its solar-powered marketing hub. “We have super low rates for transactions right here at the centre. It’s way better than what you’ll find in town,” he says. “It has made it much easier for all to access the financial services they need and revolutionised our businesses.”
Change is happening not just in the Dumaji community. WOFAN works with women, men, and youth groups across nine states and the Federal Capital Territory: Kano, Jigawa, Kaduna, Benue, Nasarawa, Plateau, Bauchi, Adamawa, Gombe, and Abuja to develop and maintain sustainable livelihoods.
The initiative under the Integrated Community-led Network of Hope (ICON2) project is a five-year initiative dedicated to generating decent and sustainable employment opportunities for women, youth, and persons with disabilities, in underserved communities.
The project, implemented by WOFAN and a consortium of partners across the benefiting states in Northern Nigeria, is funded by the Mastercard Foundation to support 675,000 beneficiaries.
It aims to ensure the beneficiaries’ improved quality of life, in line with the Mastercard Foundation’s bold Young Africa Works-Nigeria strategy to enable 10 million youth (7 million young women) to secure dignified and fulfilling employment.
To facilitate access and enhance project impact on beneficiaries, WOFAN establishes and engages synergistic groups, each with 30 like-minded members who receive training, input grants, and other support to bolster their operations.
The unique blend of vocational training, resources, and mentorship is breaking the cycle of poverty and dependence for women and persons with disabilities.
Hajara Uba’s future seemed bleak after being married off at 16 and dropping out of school. However, WOFAN’s vocational skills program became her beacon of hope. She learned a variety of income-generating activities, which not only met her family’s needs but also transformed her into a successful entrepreneur.
*”I never thought I could do this. The skills I learnt gave me a new beginning. Now, I have my thriving businesses,” she says.
“The initiative is positively impacting our lives. Many of us have developed and sustained livelihoods that have improved our quality of life.”
From begging for scraps to strutting into entrepreneurial spotlight
Former charity recipients have become thriving entrepreneurs, significantly contributing to their local economy and inspiring others.
After years of seeking alms on the streets of various Nigerian states, many individuals, including Hamisu Yusuf, found hope and opportunity through WOFAN, which empowered them to overcome barriers and achieve sustainable economic independence.
“My journey transitions from being a beggar on the streets of Tofa in Kano State to becoming a successful entrepreneur in waste management and recycled materials, specialising in crafting durable footwear,” says the entrepreneur.
“With guidance and training from WOFAN, I was introduced to effective agronomic practices and received start-up capital, which enabled me to hire workers for my farm, increasing my yield and rapidly boosting my profits.”
Manzo Bulus, the WOFAN representative for the Dass Local Government Area of Bauchi state, underscores the initiative’s impact, particularly in reducing street begging among PWDS in the locality.
The cluster representative confirms that PWDS in the community benefited from agricultural initiatives, which included access to farmlands, seeds, fertilisers, tractors, and other essential farming inputs.
Newfound Mobility Enables Schooling for Beneficiary with Disability
For many individuals with disabilities, access to education remains a challenge. However, the tricycle gesture, which aimed to improve mobility and accessibility, opens doors for some like Zainab Kabir to access education.
Zainab is one of the 40 beneficiaries who received tricycles in Jigawa State.
For Zainab, a tricycle is a much-needed mobility upgrade. With its wheels of hope and light, school is a ride away.
“Before, I couldn’t go to school because I had no way. I found it difficult because I did not have reliable means of transport,” declares Zainab.
“But when I got the tricycle, my world changed. The tricycle helps me to go to school.”
Zainab cherishes the philanthropic act, which she says enhances their mobility and enables them to engage in their daily activities actively.
Traditional leaders in the various benefiting communities acknowledge the empowering power of the initiatives.
One of them is the district head of Garun Malam, Alhaji Abubakar Sarkin Fulanin Ja’idinawa, who underscores the intervention’s impact on the broader community, including reduced food waste, increased food availability, and improved nutrition.
He adds that the initiatives help address unemployment, reduce insecurity, and create opportunities for the community.
The traditional leader describes the projects, including a community water initiative, as lifelong, changing acts of goodwill.
Connecting the dots in the SDGS
“The impact extends beyond individual women, youth and PWDs ” notes development analyst Amina Abubakar.
“It means less waste, more food security, and new community opportunities.”
She observes the deployment of agro-tricycle carriers and a solar-powered processing centre, which boosts their livelihoods and plants the seeds for greater food security and gender equality, directly contributing to multiple Sustainable Development Goals.
The analyst points to how the intervention’s impact explicitly connects to the SDGS.
“The most apparent aspect is SDG 5 (Gender Equality): the empowerment of women through economic independence, leadership roles, and a reduced physical burden,” she notes.
“There is increased income from reduced losses and value-added products and increased food security through reduced waste and longer shelf life of produce (SDG 1 No Poverty).”
Amina adds: “The use of solar power for the processing centre is linked to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), while the creation of employment opportunities, such as operating the dryer and managing logistics, is linked to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).”
She points out others, including reduced food waste (SDG 12—Responsible Consumption and Production), use of solar power to reduce reliance on fossil fuels (SDG 13—Climate Action), and inclusive education (SDG 4).
Malama Fatima is ecstatic about the transformation in the lives of rural women and youth. “The network wasn’t just about overcoming problems; it was about creating a future where we could thrive, our contributions recognised, and our voices heard,” she says. “The seeds of change, sown in our communities, are flourishing.”
